MLive file photoTomas Tatar, who shared the team lead in scoring a year ago, is back with the Griffins this season.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Griffins open the season with home games 7 p.m. Friday against Milwaukee and 7 p.m. Saturday against Hamilton.

Here's a look at the Grand Rapids roster to start the season,

Adam Almquist

No. 5, Defenseman
Size: 5-11, 174
Shoots: Left
Born: 2/27/91 in Jonkoping, Sweden Drafted: Detroit’s 7th choice, 210th overall, in 2009 NHL Entry Draft Notable:Second season as a Griffin. Appeared in three late-season contests with the Griffins after being reassigned from the Swedish Elite League (SEL)

No 22, Center
Size: 6-4, 205
Shoots: Left
Born: 11/11/91 in Arthabaska, Quebec Drafted: Detroit’s 3rd choice, 81st overall, in 2010 NHL Entry Draft Notable:Served as a “black ace” with Detroit during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs ... had 16 points (5-11—16) in 62 games in first pro season with Griffins

Chad Billins

No. 14, Defenseman
Size: 5-10, 174
Shoots: Left
Born: 5/26/89 in Marysville, Mich.Notable:First season as a Griffin. Served as a co-captain for Ferris State’s run to the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four, where it was defeated in the championship game by Boston College.

Mitch Callahan

No. 15, Right Wing
Size: 6-0, 190
Shoots: Right
Born: 8/17/91 in Whittier, Calif.
Drafted: Detroit’s 6th choice, 180th overall, in 2009 NHL Entry Draft Notable: Posted nine points (6-3—9) and 103 penalty minutes in his first pro season with Griffins, which was limited to 48 games because of injuries.

Brennan Evans

No. 44, Defenseman
Size: 6-4, 225
Shoots: Left
Born: 1/6/82 in North Battlefield, Saskatchewan Notable:10th year pro. Skated in all 76 games in his second season with Peoria, recording seven points (2-5—7) and 125 penalty minutes.

No. 23, Left Wing
Size: 6-2, 215
Shoots: Left
Born: 2/2/84 in Neepawa, Manitoba
Drafted: Philadelphia’s 10th choice, 286th overall, in 2004 NHL Entry Draft Notable:Eighth year pro. Helped Oklahoma City to a regular season Western Conference championship. He had 15 points (11-4—15) in 53 games for the Barons.

Jeff Hoggan
No 33, Left Wing
Size: 6-1, 190
Shoot: Left
Born: 2/1/78 in Hope, British ColumbiaNotable: Joins the Griffins after attending training camp on a tryout. He has played 412 career AHL games with Houston, Worcester, Providence and San Antonio, with 211 points (111-100—211).

Tomas Jurco

No. 28, Right Wing
Size: 6-2, 193
Shoots: Left
Born: 12/28/92 in Kosice, Slovakia
Drafted: Detroit’s 1st choice, 35th overall, in 2011 NHL Entry Draft Notable: First season as a Griffin and first year as pro. Had 68 points (30-38—68) in 48 games to help Saint John win the QMJHL’s President’s Cup in back-to-back years while reaching the league finals in three consecutive seasons.

Brian Lashoff

No. 32, Defenseman
Size: 6-3, 212
Shoots: Left
Born: 7/16/90 in Albany, N.Y.Notable:Fifth season as a Griffin, and last season played in all 76 games with 19 points (8-11—19) and 41 penalty minutes.

Tom McCollum

No. 30, Goaltender
Size: 6-2, 215
Catches: Left
Born: 12/7/89 in Sanborn, N.Y.
Drafted: Detroit’s 1st choice, 30th overall, in 2008 NHL Entry Draft Notable:Began the season with Toledo in ECHL, where he posted a 6-6-2 record with a team-best 2.62 goals against average and a 0.909 save percentage. Led all Griffins goalies with 28 games played and tied for the team lead with 11 victories. Posted a 3.49 GAA and a 0.891 save percentage.

No. 21, Right Wing
Size: 6-2, 188
Shoots: Left
Born: 5/13/91 in Fort Erie, Ontario Notable: Recorded eight points (2-6—8) in 44 games with the Griffins as a first-year pro.

Jordan Pearce

No. 1, Goaltender
Size: 6-1, 195
Catches: Left
Born: 10/10/86 in Anchorage, Alaska Notable:Ranks among the Griffins’ all-time goaltending leaders with 69 games played (9th), 3626:28 minutes (9th) and 1,666 saves (9th). Appeared in 19 games with Grand Rapids, posting a 3-8-1 record with a 3.68 goals against average, a 0.871 save percentage and one shutout.

No. 19, Center
Size: 6-2, 212
Shoots: Left
Born: 12/7/91 in St. Catharines, Ontario Drafted: Detroit’s 1st choice, 21st overall, in 2010 NHL Entry Draft Notable:Joined the Griffins on a tryout after concluding his junior year with Notre Dame, recording two points (1-1—2) in seven games. Made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the team’s final regular season contest.